If you know Jessica, you know that there is never a dull moment when she’s around. This fashion design and merchandising major is talented, but also has a sense of humor that keeps her friends and colleagues happy and entertained at all times. Jess comes from a small town, and she couldn’t be more proud to call it her home. She is very family oriented, and plans to open a boutique in her hometown that represents her edgy, fabulous aesthetic. Read on to find out how this bada** succeeds in a world that isn’t always encouraging.
Her Campus: Have you always been a fashion major?
Jessica: No I have not. I was originally accepted as a business administration major. Sophomore year, I became undeclared before I found fashion. I found fashion because I was really paranoid that I would never have a major. It used to be called apparel merchandising and it always caught my eye. I was a bit unsure at first because I kind of thought that wasn’t a safe thing to go into. I was finally honest with myself and decided it would be something that I enjoyed more than anything.
Her Campus: What inspires you to do the work you do?
Jessica: What inspires me is to find the depth in fashion since it’s seen as such a shallow part of civilization. It can be so much more than that. For the fashion show, I wanted to highlight that the “perfect” girl isn’t always the good girl.
A preview of inspiration from Jessica’s moodboard for this year’s fashion show
Her Campus: Tell us something interesting about yourself that sets you apart from other designers:
Jessica: I have no idea what I’m doing to be honest. I’m driven solely by the passion that I have rather than experience from designing to bring my collection to life.
Her Campus: Other than designing for the fashion show, what other projects are you working on right now?
Jessica: I intern for a boutique in Springfield, Illinois called Gypsy Dreamer. For my final project, I am creating a lookbook. Right now my main focus with that is putting together looks that I feel best represent the brand to be able to promote it in the proper way. A fellow designer and I are working on creating an entire business plan to create a small business that I am hoping to own in the future.
Her Campus: What’s your favorite part about the FDM program?
Jessica: I would say my favorite part is that we get a chance to be apart of an industry that is widely used by widely underappreciated. This program surprises people when it comes to our ability to create things. FDM makes all of the students that go through the program well-rounded and prepared for the real world. We don’t just get educated in fashion, but sustainability and other real world knowledge is taught as well.
Her Campus: What are your plans after college?
Jessica: I have obtained a management trainee position with Buckle in Springfield, Illinois. Within this program I hope to gain knowledge and skill sets necessary to own my own business. In the end, I hope to open and own my own boutique in my hometown.
Her Campus: As far as your collection for the 2017 fashion show, can you give us an idea of what we can expect?
Jessica: Honestly, you can expect a lot of skin; Leather, edge, and a look into a little girl who wanted to be princess, but turned out to be a bada** instead. So really, everything that I really wish I was!
A peek at Jessica’s aesthetic for this year’s show
Her Campus: Jessica, that sounds so exciting! Your passion drives you, and that is inspiring. We look forward to seeing your collection on the runway!
Tickets for the 2017 Illinois State Fashion Show are on sale at the Braden Box Office, or online at Ticketmaster.com. The show is April 13th with light refreshments at 5 p.m. and a show start time of 7 p.m.